Ordinary Thunderstorms

by William Boyd

The Lock Artist

by Steve Hamilton

Committed

I loved Committed, the new book by Elizabeth Gilbert about the fear of marriage later in life, after a first failed one.  She explores all over the world some of the traditions and rites of other cultures as well as her own.  Her sense of humor, as always, is delightful and her self appraisals are heartfelt and funny as well. I was lucky enough to meet her a couple of years ago, and she is the real thing, low key and friendly and comfortable.  I cherish her curiosity and her simple explanations of how life can be.  I felt her indecision and I also got more and more excited as the book went on--she was really thinking this through  and I knew that she would would finally come to the realization that marriage could be OK!  (This from an old married lady like me--just 43 years)  Tears came to my eyes as the love for her friend overrode any fears and she knew she and  he were happier together than apart, and if being married was the only way, so be it.  Congratulations to all!

Short Stories

I enjoy hand selling my favorites in the bookstore a lot.  Yet so many people say "no" to short stories as soon as I mention the word.  On the other hand, many people say how hard it is to find the time to read.  What better solution than a book of 10 or so short '"novels," as I think of a literate collection of short stories.  Each story/novel has a kick powerful enough to stay with you, just like a good long novel!  The intense power of a well told story is thrilling and strong whether short or long.  And it takes so much less time to read, and then you still have the savoring time afterward.....think about it---I know you will be so happy when you finish any of the books I am about to list, as they are all by brilliant authors.

Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It  by Mailie Meloy is a prize winning jewel on everyone's best of 2009's list.

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin is a related collection of short stories based in Pakistan.

Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro just came out and it is a stunning collection. Anyway, start with these 3, and I promise you, a whole new genre will open up for you!

U is for Undertow

I just finished the latest Sue Grafton book,  U is for Undertow, and I am telling you, she just keeps getting better and better!  (She only has 5 alphabet letters to go!)  I lose myself in the mystery, which is always an intriguing puzzle, and in the back story of the familiar characters of  Henry and Rose and Kinsey's newly discovered family.  Kinsey is a sharp and observant loner who never gives up a quest.  Grafton's stories are full of suspense and twists and this story concerns a young man's remembering a scene from his youth, but is he crying wolf?  His sister comes in to Kinsey's office soon after to discredit her brother, and then what is Kinsey to do?  So she follows up on the lead anyway and what follows is a surprising thriller. Happy Reading and enjoy! 

Her Fearful Symmetry

I stayed up until 2:00 AM last night finishing this extraordinary new novel!  Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger will knock your socks off! The story begins with a 40ish year old Elspeth dying in London.  She has left her estate to her immature and totally attached to each other only twin sister's twin daughters, stipulating they come to London from America (she has not seen them since they were babies and they are now 21) and live in her flat for a year. Elspeth and her twin have been estranged for 21 years and the two young girls had no idea why.  That the flat is next door to Highgate Cemetery only adds to the suspense and mystery and intrigue, and the cemetery plays a large part in this story. Niffenegger creates eccentric and charming characters to populate her book.  No time traveler this time;  instead we have ghosts and enduring love and OCD and enduring love.  or not.

Sweetsmoke and Finding Nouf

Two paperback books this year have joined the mystery genre together with unusual places or times (the first, Sweetsmoke, I have already reviewed in these pages. It combines the south during the Civil War with the slave Cassius as detective.  The second is Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris, and both have done marvelous jobs! Finding Nouf is the story of the disappearance of 16 year old Nouf  just before she is to be married.  The  prominent family hires a desert tracker, al-Sharqi to help.  Once her body is found, the tracker becomes a detective and this is not easy, as this is Saudi Arabia and he is not allowed to talk to women or ask questions of everyone.  The glimpse of contemporary Saudi life is fascinating.  Al-Sharqi partners with Katya, an unusual woman working at the coroner's office, so he can get access to more information. All of this challenges him and forces him to confront his beliefs and the limitations of his society.  One scene describes trying to eat an ice cream cone at a family amusement park; other scenes show the cloistered life with some freedoms the upper class women endure.  A great read, combining, as it does, information about a closed society and a mystery/detective story and a love story as well. I loved it!

A Happy Marriage

A most painful and heartbreaking and beautifully written book is A Happy Marriage by Rafael Ygleseas.  This novel  (but it is  based on the author's life,) blew me away with its frank honesty and painful details.  The chapters alternate between Margaret and Rafael's courtship in NYC with the last weeks of Margaret's life as she battles with cancer.  Throughout the almost 30 years of their married life and all the ups and downs, always the reader feels the love and endurance and joy within them both. I found myself in tears often,  but also found myself smiling and even laughing at some of what a long marriage entails.  A powerful and memorable book.